A unique Halifax venue for the arts community

The Urban Barn is a unique, inviting and cozy space with a sense of history and local character. Artist and musician Catherine McKinnon found this 150-year-old hand-hewn, post & beam barn in East Tracadie, Nova Scotia. She and her family purchased, dismantled and reconstructed it next to their home in Purcell's Cove, a 15-minute drive from downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This open concept barn feels large, and yet intimate at the same time. With a south-facing wall of windows overlooking Halifax Harbour, one has a bird's eye view of all the shipping traffic coming in and out of our seabound city from the "Crow's Nest" aloft. The main floor of the the barn houses a private art gallery where McKinnon's artworks are currently on display. At the second level, a "Minstrel's Gallery" walk-way connects the "Crow's Nest" to an art studio which was formerly a hay loft.

This wood-filled space provides outstanding acoustics for musical performances and social gatherings. There's a large, homey, farmhouse-style kitchen directly attached to the Barn and all creatures (great and small) love our swings.